Timing apparatus



July l0, 1951 T. G. MUELLER 2,560,56

TIMING APPARATUS Filed May 7, 194s l 2 sheets-sheet 1 fvg. l.

/llO l5 i6 /lll INVENTOR. THEODORE 6. MUE LLER BY v July 10, 195l T. G. MUELLER 2,560,516

TIMING APPARATUS Filed May 7. 1948 2 sheets-sheet 2 58 5s, @o m JNVENToR. THEODOREG. MUELLER j- V-l '293 Patented July 10, 19514 TIMING APPARATUS Theodore G. Mueller, Buffalo, N. Y., assigner to J. E. Martin Equipment Corporation, Buffalo,

Application May 7, 1948, Serial No. 25,617

11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to interval timing apparatus and particularly to means for automatically timing successive multiple time intervals of Varying duration.

Various interval timers have heretofore been proposed for automatically controlling the sequence and duration of operations in so-called dry cleaning machines, laundry machines, and other apparatus where automatic sequence operation takes place. In general, these devices have inadequate provision for selectively varying the various time intervals of a given sequence. Most commonly it is necessary, in order to adjust one given time interval, to reset all of the succeeding time interval controlling elements. In some devices of the prior art it is possible to adjust only one given interval of a sequence. In still other prior art proposals, it is possible to omit certain selected sequences if desired, but no ready means of adjusting the time intervals is provided.

According to the present invention, a simple and highly practical apparatus is provided whereby any desired one of a number of sequential time intervals may be readjusted without disturbing the adjustment or operation of all of the preceding and succeeding time intervals. For instance, if a given time interval of the sequence is set for a certain time interval, and it is readjusted to change that time interval, the followa ing time interval will begin, as before, immediately at the conclusion of the adjusted time interval, and such following time interval will be of the same duration as before. This occurs without any attention to the succeeding time interval mechanism on the part of the person making the adjustment. The same is true of any further succeeding time intervals of the sequence.

The present apparatus is such that, by following the principles set forth therein, a timer may be constructed for controlling any desired number of time intervals, each time interval having a maximum time duration, and each time interval being adjustable for any period of duration from zero to such maximum, without any attention to the other time intervals of the sequence. Various mechanical modifications may be made in the apparatus shown in the drawings and described herein by way of example without departing from the principles of the invention or the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of one form of the apparatus of the present invention with portions of the casing shown in cross-section for added clearness;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view at right angles to Fig. 1 in a vertical plane through the main operating shaft, 4but with the parts in other positions of their cycle of operation for added clearness; and

Fig. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of the apparatus.

In the drawings like characters of reference denote like parts throughout, and the numerals I0 and II designate spaced wall portions of a machine with which the timing apparatus is to be used, such as a dry cleaning or laundering machine. Secured to the Wall I by means of screws I2 is a vertical supporting plate I3 for the apparatus of the present invention. At its upper edge plate I3 has rigidly associated therewith a horizontal plate portion I4 which supports an electric driving motor I5, the latter having associated therewith a speed reducing gear box I6 Whose output shaft is .designated I'I.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the numeral 20 designates the main operating shaft of the timing apparatus and shaft 20 has bearing in plate I3 as at 2| in Fig. 2. Referring to Fig. 1, the numeral 24 designates a clock mechanism which includes a drive pinion 25 for driving a clock wheel 26. Clock wheel 26, referring to Fig. 2, is freely rotatable on a sleeve-like hub 2'! which is part of a disc 28, the latter having anti-friction bearing on shaft 20.

As stated, the inner periphery of clock wheel 26 is freely rotatable on the external periphery of the sleeve portion 27 of disc 28. However, a friction disc 30 is interposed between the abutting radial faces of the hub of clock wheel 26 and disc 28, and clock wheel 26 is urged resiliently toward .disc 28 by means of a spring plate 3l which is retained against axial displacement on sleeve 2'I by means of a collar 32 and a locking ring 33. Disc 28 is accordingly carried along with clock wheel 26 unless positively prevented from so doing in a manner which will presently appear.

Disc 28 has an outer hub formation 35 which includes a semi-circular projection 36. Shaft 20 projects beyond hub 35 and has fixed thereto a collar 38 which includes a quarter circular inward projection 33. It will be noted from Fig. 1 that the clock wheel and disc assembly is free to rotate relative to shaft 26 and collar 38, the projections 36 and 39 being in non-abutting positions.

To facilitate description, and bearing in mind that any number of intervals of any desired maximum duration may be readily arranged for, let us assume that the apparatus set forth by way of example is desired to accommodate a maximum of ve time intervals each of which may be of a maximum duration of twenty-four minutes. With this arrangement the speed of operation of clock drive pinion 25 would be such as to rotate clock wheel 25 once in two hours. A twenty-four minute interval would produce angular travel of clock wheel 28 and disc 28 of 72, or less than the 90 total gap or possible lost motion between projections 35 and 39. Projections 36 and 59 are illustrated in Fig. 1 in a mid-point in their operation, as will presently appear.

The indexing mechanism for clock wheel 25 and disc 28 will now be described. Referring particularly to Fig. 2, an index wheel 42 has five peripheral notches 43 and is fixed for rotation with shaft 20. Index wheel 42 is xed laterally to a pair of cams 44 and 45 by means of a screw 45 and cam 45 is pinned to shaft 2) as at The cams 44 and 45 will be alluded to later herein.

The numeral 48 designates an indexing pawl supporting rock arm which is freely rotatable on shaft 2i] and has pivoted thereto an indexing pawl 49 which is biased toward index wheel 42 by a tension spring 55 connected at its opposite ends to pawl i9 and rock arm 48. The outer end of rock arm 48 is pivoted at one end to a link 52 as at and the other end of link 52 is pivotally attached to a crank 54 as at 55, crank 54 being iixed to the output shaft Il of the speed reducing gear box I6.

Referring to Fig. 1, the numeral 56 designates a block which is detachably secured to the periphery of disc 28 by means of a set screw 5l and is adjustable along such periphery. As shown in Fig. 1 block 5G serves as a cam element land is in actuating registry with the operating members of a bank of three normally open micro-switches 58, 59 and 58. In Fig. 2 these micro-switches and block 58 are shown in full elevation and cross-section, respectively, for added clarity of illustration, rather than in their actual oblique positions as shown in Fig. 1. In addition to block 56, which it will be noted is groov'ed so as not to operate switch 59, disc 28 carries four other blocks spaced about its periphery in adjusted positions to serve as additional cam elements. Two such other blocks are designated 5l and 52 in Fig. 1, the latter appearing also in Fig. 2. These other four blocks, as distinguished from block 56, are all in line with and 4of a size to engage the operating member of normally open micro-switch 59 when they come into registry with it, without disturbing microswitches 58 and 60.

When one of the four micro-blocks 8l, 62, etc., engages the operating member of switch 59to close the same it closes the operating circuit for motor i5, causing crank 54 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction.

This operation of motor I5 takes place at the end of given time intervals as determined by the adjusted setting of blocks 5i, G2, etc. Let us assume that the block 5| is set at the proper position to determine a twelve minute time interval, and that, by counterclockwise timed movement of disc 28 it has just come into engagement with the operating member of micro-switch 59 to close the same.

' For convenience and clearness of illustration blocks 35 and 39 are shown in Fig. 2 in the positions they occupy at the beginning of a time interval when block 35 occupies a lowermost position and 'block 39 abuts thereagainst at the left-hand side as viewed in Fig. l. However, in Fig. 2 the crank and indexing arm are shown at a position about half-way through an automatic indexing operation, again to clarify the illustration of the parts.

Referring to Fig. 1, when the indexing elements are in their rest position between indexing operations, crank 54. extends straight down from shaft Il. Fig. 1 illustrates the position of crank 54 after an automatic indexing operation has begun and proceeded for about 45. During this beginning portion of the automatic indexing operation, crank 54 imparts no indexing movement to rock arm 45 or indexing pawl 45. In Fig. 1 the numeral l@ designates a normally open micro-switch which is connected in parallel with micro-switch 59, both being in series in the operating circuit of motor i5. When crank 54 extends straight down in the rest position of the indexing mechanism, a flattened portion 'Il of the hub of crank 54 permits the operating member T2 of micro-switch lil to be in an upper switch-open position.

Assuming that block 5l was set to define a twelve minute interval which has just terminated, referring to Fig. 1, and that block 6| has just come into engagement with the operating member of switch 55 to terminate such period by initiating an automatic indexing operation to commence the succeeding time interval, the block 35 driven by clock wheel 25 will have rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. l away from block 3i) a distance of 36 at the time that block 5l comes into engagement with the operator which closes micro-switch 59 and, accordingly, the operating circuit for motor i5. Y This energizes motor i5 and crank 54 rotates in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. l and the hub of crank 54 engages operator .'12 to close micro-switch i5 and provide a parallel operating circuit for the motor. The motor will, therefore, continue in operation after block 5i leaves the operator of micro-switch 59 and continues until a full rotation has been made by crank 5K1 and the flattened portion 'ii is again at the under side of crank 54 and thus permits micro-switch 'i5 to open.

As the indexing plate is moved through a '72 angle during indexing, by operation of pawl :i5 on index :plate 42, shaft 25 moves through a like angle since the index plate is fixed thereto. This moves quarter-circular block 59 through a like angle, and, after traveling 36 to catch up to block 55, it then rotates the latter in a counterclockwse direction for 36 and thus rotates disc 28 positively through a 36 angle against the resistance of the friction disc 35, the clock disc 25 being held stationary by the clock mechanism.

The result is that, regardless of the time intervals for which block 5i and the other blocks are set, disc 23 rotates through a full 72 angle during each cycle of time interval and indexing to present disc 25 to the starting position for the next succeeding cycle regardless of the time interval for which the preceding cycle was set. In other words, during each cycle of timing and indexing disc 28 has a total movement of 72 made up of movement by clock wheel 25 and subsequent movement by index plate 42, shaft 25 and block 39, regardless of how much of that movement is derived from clock wheel 25 as determined by the time setting of the blocks 6i, 52, etc.

In Fig. 1, the numeral 8G designates a detent arm which has a portion 8| which registers with one of the openings 43 of index plate 42 when the latter is in rest position between indexing operations. Indexing arm 80 is part of a bell crank 82, the other arm 83 of which is urged in a counterclockwise direction by an extension spring 84 fixed to its outer end and anchored to a stub shaft 85.

Referring to Fig. 2, the numeral 9e designates a manual crank which is pinned to shaft 2G as at 9| for manualli7 setting index plate 42 to any desired position. rihe position of the index plate is shown by the lower end 92 of crank 95 which comprises a pointer which cooperates with an appropriately graduated or marked control drum or dial 93 which is mounted on shaft 2i] but xed against rotation therewith by means of a screw 94 which threads into a nut d5 welded or otherwise securely xed to wall portion I| of the machine.

The structure and operation thus far described is all that is essential to and inherent in the present invention. The manner in which the adjustable time intervals may be employed in Various adaptations may vary widely. The following additional appurtenances are set forth in a broad general way merely to illustrate how the time interval measuring apparatus may be employed in controlling sequential operation in a given instance set forth by way of example.

A full cycle of operation of the timer of the .present invention will now be described, by way of example, in conjunction with its application to a conventional dry cleaning machine. In such a machine there are ve conventional time periods, the rst of which is the filtering or washing period; the second, a drain period for draining the solvent; the third, an extraction period when the drum holding the articles being cleaned is rotated at high speed to extract the solvent; the fourth, an idle period made necessary by the length of time that it takes the high speed extractor motor to slow down; and the fth and last, a reclaiming period during which a fan blows through the drum to recover the remaining solvent from the articles.

As a full cycle of operation is ended at the end of the reclaiming period, block 55 closes switches 58 and 50, the former of which effects stoppage` of the entire dry cleaning machine in a conventional manner and the latter of which lights a signal light to indicate that the entire dry cleaning operation is concluded. The machine thus stops with the parts in the position indicated in Fig. l, excepting that crank arm 54 will extend straight downwardly from its operating shaft l1. To ire-commence operation, an operator manually operates crank 90 to the filter or wash position of dial 93 which, in effect, rotates index plate 42 through 72 to the next index point from that shown in Fig. 1.

This permits stop switch 58 and signal switch 50 to reopen, and the clock mechanism 24 is energized through its connection with the electrical portion of the dry cleaning machine proper, and the rst of the five time periods of dry cleaning commences, namely, the filter or wash period. In Fig. 1 the numeral |08 designates a normally open switch which controls the pump of the dry cleaning machine, and movement of cam 45 from its illustrated rposition through 72 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. l, by means of the manual indexing just described, closes pump switch |00.

Cam -44 has a follower |0| which is part of a rocker arm |02 rotatable on stub shaft V85. The other end of rocker arm |02 is pivotally connected to a depending link |03 which controls the drain valve of the dry cleaning machine and is illustrated in Fig. 1 in the closed position of the drain valve. The manual indexing referred to does not change the closed condition of the drain valve because of a dwell of suitable extent on cam 44.

After the lter period is ended, as indicated by the engagement of block 0| with the operator of index switch 59, an automatic indexing operation takes place through operation of motor I5 as previously described. This not only brings disc 28 to the proper position for starting the second time period against the resistance of friction disc 30, but also moves cam 45 from the operator of pump switch |00, whereupon the pump stops, and the drain valve opens by virtue of the rise of cam 45 which acts upon follower |0| during this indexing operation to raise lint: |03.

After the drain period is terminated by the arrival of stop 62 at index switch 63, a second automatic indexing operation takes place and this brings the timer to the beginning of the extraction operation, cam 45 closing a normally open extractor motor operating switch |06, the drain valve remaining open.

The next automatic indexing operation at the end of the extraction period, occasioned by the engagement of a further block (not shown) with the operator of stop switch 59, brings the timer to the beginning of an idle period, the extractor motor stopping by reason of the removal of cam 45 from the operator of switch |06, and the drain valve remaining open. At the conclusion of this idle period, which is provided to permit the extractor motor to slow down and stop, a fourthl automatic indexing occurs which again closes the drain valve through the falling oi of the prole of -cam 44 and the consequent re-lowering oflink |03.

This also engages the cam 45 with the operator of a fan motor switch |08 to cause operation of the dry cleaning machine fan during the reclaiming period. After the reclaiming period ends by engagement of block 56 with stop switch 58 andA signal switch 00, the entire machine shuts down, stopping the fan motor along with the other appurtenances despite the continued closure of micro-switch |08 until the timer is again handf indexed to starting position.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description of dry cleaning machine operation is not intended to be a full disclosure of the dryl cleaning machine but is merely an example of many adaptations of the timing apparatus of the present invention to a wide variety of particular timing problems.

In the drawings the numeral ||0 designates a housing element which is removably secured to the top surface of horizontal plate portion I4 tohouse the driving motor i5 and its appurtenant parts, and numeral il i designates a further cas-- ing element hinged to an edge of plate portion I4 as at |2 for removably encasing the remaining parts of the timing apparatus.

What is claimed is:

1. Timing apparatus comprising a supporting shaft, an index plate xed for rotation therewith, timing means rotatable relative to said shaft and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced elements, switch means operable by said elements and motor means operable to move said index plate a predetermined angular distance through operation of said switch means, said spaced elements being circumferentially adjustable independently of each other and being adapted to act upon said switch means successively to register the termination of successi-ve time periods of independently adjusted duration, clock means having yieldable driving engagement with said timing means to advance the same substantially continuously at a constant rate through a prselected portion of the angular distance of the next succeeding indexing operation as deter'- mined by the adjustment of one of the spaced elements of the timing means, and lost motion drive means between said shaft and said timing means whereby the latter is moved through the remainder of such angular distance during the succeeding indexing operation to condition the timing means for timing a succeeding time interval.

2. rIiming apparatus comprising a supporting shaft, indexing means nxed for rotation therewith, timing means rotatable relative to said shaft and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced elements, switch means operable by said elements and motor means operable to move said indexing means a predetermined angular distance through operation of said switch means, said spaced elements being circumferentially adh justable independently of each other and being adapted to act upon said switch means succesu sively to register the termination of successive time periods of independently adjusted duration, clock means having yieldable driving engagement with said timing means to advance the same subn stantially continuously at constant rate through an angle less than 'the angular distance of the next succeeding indexing operation, the extent of said lesser anale being determined by the adjustment of one of the spaced elements of the timing means, and lost motion drive means between said shaft and said timing means whereby the latter is moved through the remainder of such angular distance during the succeeding indexing operation to condition the timing means for timing a succeeding time interval.

Timing apparatus comprising a supporting shaft, an index plate nxed thereon and divided angularly to provide a number of index inc ments, timing means rotatably mounted on said shaft and having an adjustable switch operating element for each of said increments, switch means operable b-y said elements and motor means operable to move said index plate through an indexing increment by operation of said switch means, said spaced elements being circumferentially adjustable independently of each other and being adapted to act upon said switch means successively to register the termination of successive time periods of independently adjusted duration, clock means having yieldable driving engagement Awith said timing means to advance the same substantially continuously at a constant rate through a pre-selected portion of an indexing increment angle as determined by the adjustment of one of the switch operatingv elements of the timing means, and lost motion drive means between said shaft and said timing means whereby the latter is moved through the remainder ci' the indexing increment angle during the succeeding indexing operation to condition the timing means for timing a succeeding.;` time interval.

4. rfiming apparatus comprising a supporting' shaft, an index plate fixed thereon and divided angularly to provide a number of index incre-` ments, timing means rotatably mounted on said' shaft and having an adjustable switch operating element for each of said increments, switch means operable by said elements and motor means operable to move said index plate through an indexing increment by operation of said switch means, said spaced elements being adapted to act upon said switch means successively to register the termination of successive time periods, clock means having yieldable driving engagement with said 'timing means to advance the same substantially continuously at a constant rate through a pre-selected portion of an indexing increment angle as determined by the switch operating elements of the timing means, and lost motion drive means between said shaft and said timing means whereby the latter is moved through the remainder' of the indexing increment angle during the succeeding indexing operation to condition the timing means for timing a sucw ceeding time interval.

5. Timing apparatus comprising a supporting shaft, an index plate nxed for rotation therewith, switch and motor means operable upon actuation of said switch means to move said index plate a predetermined angular distance, timing means rotatable relative to said shaft and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced adjustable switch actuating elements, said switch elements being adapted to actuate said switch means successively at the termination ol successive time periods of independently adjusted duration to initiatean indexing operation, clock means normally driving said timing means to ad- Vance the same substantially continuously at a constant rate through any pre-selected part of the angular distance of the next succeeding indexing operation as determined by the adjustment of one ol' the spaced elements of the timing means, and lost motion drive means between said shaft and said timing means whereby the latter is moved through the remainder of such angular distance during the succeeding indexing operation to condition the timing means for timing succeeding time interval.

6. Timing apparatus comprising a supporting shaft, an plate nxed for rotation therewith, switch means and motor means operable upon actuation of said switch means to move said index plate a predetermined angular distance, timing means rotatable relative to said shaft and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced adjustable said switch elements being adapted to actuate said switch means successively at the termination of successive time periods of independently adjusted duration to initiate an indexing operation, clock means normally driving said timing means to advance the same substantially continuously at a constant rate through a part of the angular distance of the next succeeding indexing operation until said switch means is actuated by operation of one of the switch actuating elements of the timing means, and lost motion drive means between said shaft and said timing means whereby the latter is moved through the remainder of the angular distance of the indexing operation during the succeeding indexing operation to condition the timing means yfor timing a succeeding time interval.

'7. Timing apparatus comprising a continuously rotating clock element, a timing element and means yieldably holding the same for rotation by said clock element, indexing means, adjustable means on said timing element operable to terminate a time interval by actuating said switch actuating elements,l

indexing means for moving the timing element to a set predetermined position for starting a succeeding time interval regardless of the position of adjustment of the period terminating means against the resistance of said yieldable means, and means operable by said indexing means upon indexing thereof to control any desired condition extraneous of the timer proper.

8. Timing apparatus comp-rising a continuously rotating clock element, a timing element and means yieldably holding the same for rotation by said clock element, indexing means, adjustable means on said timing element operable to terminate a time interval by actuating said indexing means for moving the timing element to a set predetermined position for starting a succeeding time interval regardless of the position of adjustment of the period terminating means against the resistance of said yieldable means, and a cam operable by said indexing means upon indexing thereof to control any desired condition extraneous of the timer proper.

9. Timing apparatus comprising a continuously rotating clock element, a timing element and means yieldablj7 holding the same for rota.- tion by said clock element, indexing means, adjustable means on said timing element operable to terminate a time interval by actuating said indexing means for moving the timing element to a set predetermined position for starting a succeeding time interval regardless of the position of adjustment of the period terminating means against the resistance of said yieldable means, and switch means operable automatically upon indexing to control any desired condition extraneous of the timer proper.

10. Timing apparatus comprising a continuously rotating clock element, a timing element and means yieldably holding the same for rotation by said clock element, indexing means, adjustable means on said timing element operable to terminate a time interval by actuating said indexing means for moving the timing element to a set predetermined position for starting a succeeding time interval regardless of the position of adjustment of the period terminating means against the resistance of said yieldable means.

11. Timing apparatus comprising a continuously rotating clock element, a timing element and means yieldably holding the same for rotation by said clock element, a switch and adjustable means on said timing element operable to terminate a time interval by operating said switch to control any desired condition extraneous of the timer propo-r, and means operable upon closure of said switch by said adjustable means at the end of an adjusted time interval for moving the timing element to a set predetermined position for starting a succeeding time interval regardless of the position of adjustment of the period terminating means and against the resistance of said yieldable means.

THEODORE` G. MUELLER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Collins June 3, 1947 Number 

